Swimming club’s awards herald exciting year ahead
Halifax Swimming Club marked the start of another exciting year ahead when they staged their annual presentation event, at Heath Rugby Club.
No fewer than 78 trophies were awarded in total, recognising the achievements of the club’s members.
Among them are six who achieved Yorkshire qualification times in 2023; Matthew Raine, Jacob Booth, Seb Ward, Emily Culf, Imogen Hawkins Swaffer and Imogen Folan.
Emily Culf, who achieved a North Eastern qualification time for 2023, was awarded the club’s outstanding swimmer of the year.
Emily is currently ranked within the top 10 swimmers in Yorkshire and in the North East Region for the 50m freestyle in the 18-years age group.
The Glenn Fielden Trophy, is presented each year to someone who has overcome great difficulty in the last 12 months, but not necessarily in the swimming pool, and this year’s honour went to Neo Branton.
Prior to the Covid pandemic, the club’s home was Halifax Swimming Pool, but this has now closed permanently as the building was deemed to have severe structural deterioration.
Since September 2020, their new home has been Heathfield Junior School Swimming Pool, at Rish
worth. The pool is 22 metres, compared to Halifax’s 25 metres, but it provides members with precious pool time and has allowed the club to forge links with Rishworth School and develop further European connections.
Last year, the club welcomed
their first Spanish swimmer and there are two new Spanish swimmers who train at the school.
The inclusive and accessible club encourages and promotes the teaching and coaching of competitive aquatic sports for children throughout West Yorkshire.
All the teachers and coaches have achieved professional qualifications, and they are backed-up by a dedicated team of volunteers and parents, assisting with a range of roles to support the club.
New members can attend Thursday evening sessions that help develop a positive attitude to swimming.
The club’s Yorkshire and Regional Development groups train four evenings a week, excluding Thursdays and on Sunday mornings.